Daily sailing cruises and private charters aboard the 55-foot ketch Morning in Maine are a great way to see the natural and historic features that make Penobscot Bay so special. Take a two-hour cruise, a sunset cruise, a science cruise with a science educator or a six-hour trip out to Monroe Island, ME to go beachcombing or hiking and then back to the boat for a lobster picnic lunch. The boat accommodates 21 passengers, who’ll see everything from seabirds and porpoises to historic schooners and lighthouses. Monday morning day sails out of Rockland, ME are especially picturesque, as the schooners sail out of the harbor for their weeklong cruises. Looking for a fun idea for your party or family gathering? Reserve the boat for a two-hour, sunset, half-day, six-hour or full-day charter.

Make unforgettable memories with a whitewater rafting adventure from Crab Apple Whitewater, a third-generation, family-owned and operated business. Expert guides will take you down the thrilling Kennebec or Dead Rivers, where you’ll ride towering waves, experience heart-pounding drops, and even hop out for a relaxing float alongside your raft on gentler stretches. Base camp in Maine includes standard and premium lodging options, a pub and restaurant, a heated outdoor pool, paintball fields and other activities. All rafting and lodging packages include breakfast to fuel your day’s adventures.

Crab Apple has been operating since 1983, and also has locations in Massachusetts and Vermont.

When it comes to cruises, it’s all about variety with the nine members of the Maine Windjammer Association fleet. With accommodations for 16 to 31 guests, the vessels are ideal for private charters. And scheduled cruises include everything from grandparents/grandkids cruises to those for painters, photographers, lighthouse-lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Join a cruise with an eye toward watching the Perseid meteor showers, or fall foliage; sign on to a yoga cruise or one celebrating craft beers or one where you’ll be part of the Great Schooner Race. Or, prepare to sit back and relax on a cruise with no itinerary except that dictated by the wind. Cruises feature fabulous home-cooked meals (including an on-shore lobster bake), and evening entertainment from music to games to storytelling.